Pages

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

How to Upgrade your Builder Grade Mirror - Frame it!

I love framed mirrors in the bathroom but I really don't like the idea of ripping out a large builder mirror to replace it with a smaller framed one. Not only is it hurting the environment, it hurts my pocket book. So at our first house we framed our builder grade mirror with some cheap MDF molding and ever since, we have been hooked on this cheap, but with a huge impact, solution.

I saw on Our Suburban Cottage, over a year ago, an amazing mirror that she created in her bathroom. Using her design, my husband was able to create this stunning addition to our master bathroom's mini-reno. I fully intend to redo everything out of this bathroom when time and money permits; but for now we had to do cosmetic changes that have made this bathroom livable for a few years.

We did two bathrooms with this type of frame. This bathroom mirror is between 2 walls so I will give these instructions. When I have some time I will show you how to do a bathroom mirror that is not butted against two walls.

Before (when we bought the house):

After (after some minor and inexpensive changes):

Materials needed:
1x4 MDF trim (to go the entire way around the mirror)
Thin trim with one side rounded (2 times the width of the mirror)
Crown molding (the width of the mirror)
Paint
Liquid nails (be sure it adheres to glass!)
Caulking

Method:
Paint all the trim both back and front. You might not think of painting the back side, but take my word, you will see the reflection of the back side in the mirror. I spray painted the trim and I loved the smooth look; I personally have issues with getting my paint smooth so this was my only option.

Measure (twice) the width of the mirror and cut 2 pieces of 1x4 trim and the rounded trim. Paint the ends that have been cut.

Attach, with liquid nails, one of the rounded trim pieces to the 1 inch side of the 1x4 piece. Be sure to keep the back side of these 2 pieces flush because they will be up against the mirror..a flat surface. Do the same with the other 1x4 and rounded trim (the second glued "trim to 1x4" will be used for the top of the mirror, that I describe below).

We then secured the one 1x4 and rounded trim to the bottom of the mirror. We used liquid nails to attach the peice to the mirror and used my son's lego as a support it until it was dry.

After determining exactly where we wanted the top of the frame to be, we measure the distance between the top and the bottom molding and then cut two 1x4 pieces for the sides. These two pieces were then glued to the mirror tight against the bottom piece.

With the second glued "trim to 1x4", we flipped it and glued the crown molding to the opposite side of the 1x4. Once set, this piece was then glued to the top of the mirror. We did put a couple triangle pieces on the back of the crown to give it additional support, but this is optional.

My husband caulked the seams to make it the frame seamless and not look like pieces of wood.

Isn't it absolutely AMAZING!?!? I think in total it cost under $30 to do this frame. Worth every penny in my opinion.

In total for this mini-renovation we painted the entire bathroom, framed the mirror, replaced the counter top with an in stock piece from Lowes, bought two beautiful raised sinks on clearance at Lowes, purchased 2 new lights from a cheap local store, made some roman blinds out of a scrap curtain and bought a couple new faucets. These simple things have made a huge difference. I still hate the shower but I can live with it for a few more years :)

Here it is from a few different angles.

Oh and I almost forgot...I made a pendant lamp that hangs above our large soaker tub from a really cheap lamp shade ($10 at Walmart) and a pendant kit from Lowes. I love it too :) It has one low watt bulb it in which is great when you are soaking in the tub. Not much brighter than a few candles but enough to read by.

What do you think? I love it every day I walk into the bathroom.

Answers to the clip questions: There have been questions about the clips holding the mirror on the wall. On all of our mirrors, we have flush/flat metal hooks that holds the mirror to the wall. You can see the metal clip on the photo below, it is immediately below the light. We were able to put the molding right over the hooks without a problem. We know that when we want to remove the mirror we will have to destroy it..the builder glued it to the drywall. If you have the plastic hooks that are not flush (with the screw through them) you will not be able to do this unless you replace them.

330 comments:

I love it...looks great! We want to replace our huge builder's grade mirror with 2 individual mirrors but that's expensive. So...this may be a good option. How do you attach the wood to the mirror if there are plastic clips holding mirror to wall? I've seen several blogs with instructions for framing mirrors but none address the clips. Thanks!

Oh boy, I'm showing this to my hubs when he gets home. I love it!!! I just might have to do this to my two bathroom mirrors. I've seen it done before, but I don't think I've seen the crown molding at the top. Really great job, it looks fabulous.

This is an awesome idea! I found your blog via your link up to the party on A to Z. You have inspired me to try this sometime soon in our home. Thank for the tutorial. Also I just wanted to let you know I pinned your post to my Pinterest account and it has beenn repinned by almost 40 other people! :)

LOVE this! We're getting ready to do some work in our Master Bath and I do believe I will have to add this to our To Do list!Found your blog on Under the Table and Dreaming.I'm your newest follower! Can't wait to see what else you come up with!

Beautiful job! You're lucky that your mirror is glued to the wall. Ours were just attached with cheap plastic clips (that had been there for 20 years before we bought the house). One of the huge mirrors fell and broke. We had the remaining one cut in half, then both halves were framed and hung very securely on the wall. Looks awesome, but cost a bit more than yours.

Love this idea. I have wanted to do something like this for a while. But our mirror is open on one end - not up against the wall. Did you ever come up with directions on how to handle that problem? I'm a little stumped.

We did something similar with a huge mirror in our main bath. But had to deal with the clips. I used a large drill bit & chisel to carve out a shallow space for the clips to remain underneath the frame.

LOVE this! Totally going to do it since the cost is low enough...and since we're kinda redoing our bedroom/bathroom! We have the plastic clips too, but I think this way will still work if we do the crown moulding part too and lower it just a tad below the clips...kinda like you did too. The crown moulding will cover it up not to show it, but still allow us to take it down if we need to. Great job! Thanks for showing us how it's done!

I love the project and the outcome. I have to question the $30 budget though. I priced crown molding similar to what you have in the picture recently and it was about $25 for an 8 ft section. You add to that the 1x4s and other molding, the paint, and the liquid nails and I would guess more like $50. But hey, even for $50-60 its a dramatic improvement! well done! I think we are going to do this project but we are refinishing our cabinets to a dark shade of brown and will paint/stain the mirror frame to match.

LOVE this! I also love the paint you chose for the walls! What color is it & where did you get it? We're needing to paint our living room & I think I've finally decided on a color, thanks to your help!!!

Thanks so much for this idea! I just went out this weekend and bought up the materials to try it myself this week.

Your blog is full of such wonderful (and budget friendly) projects, I've decided to share it with all my friends. You've been tagged for a blog award here: http://awalkinthecloset.blogspot.com/2012/01/versatile-or-rambling-blogger-award.html

i found you on pinterest, my husband is on his way to lowe's as i type this to buy the materials to frame our builder-grade mirror! i wanted to ask if you could tell me more info on your lighting - i really like the new lights you chose and am having a hard time finding budget-friendly lighting. do you know what brand your lights are and/or have any tips on how to find inexpensive lighting? would you mind sharing what your lighting cost so i have a ballpark comparison when shopping?

Thanks for the idea. My master bath mirror turns a corner and the builder put a strip over the corner (the strip itself is a mirror). Anyone have an idea of how to work around this? We had planned on a frame on each wall to make it look like two mirrors. We are afraid to take off the strip and damage the mirror (which is glued to the wall).

My husband and I did this to our masterbathroom mirror in black! It looks amazing! My cabinents where white formica and I sanded those down and painted them black as well and put on brushed nickle hardware. Not sure how to post a pic but it looks great! Thanks for the idea!! It worked!!

Very nice, but not hurting the environment? You may try to pretend to be hippie, but the fact you have a double sink to waste twice the water in the same room pretty much tells me that your concern for the world is only skin deep.You also have six lights within a few inches of each other for ambiance. Quite a waste of electricity even if those lights are eco-friendly. That's like driving six priuses to the mall.Lastly, yes, it does look awesome. It's a very nice DIY and I'm saving the images for later improvement. But please don't pretend with the size of your bathrooms and house that you are just oh so gosh darn concerned about your carbon footprint.

Someone takes the time to take pictures, post something so awesome and you post something so critical about her and yet you are going to save it for later improvement, WOW! I think it is beautiful, and as for her carbon footprint, I don't think that was what this was about in the first place, but I think people can live in a nice home, and still live green, I do, and we save money, we recycle, it doesn't make you a bad person because you have a large bathroom.

Love this mirror!!! My carpenter is making it today for our new remodeled bathroom. Funny thing is that it will match the detailing on the vanity. Doesn't get any better than that. I'm glad that I found this web site cause I was just going to have a plain framed mirror. Thanks for sharing.

This is my weekend project. We chipped a piece off of the edge of our mirror when we removed it when we were painting. Don't want to replace the mirror, so this will fix the problem and update the look of the bathroom. Perfect solution.

And @jehova...you're an idiot! Two sinks don't have anything to do with using twice as much water...water usage depends on the how many people use the sinks, the same amount would be used whether there was one sink or ten! And she didn't say anything about being concerned with her carbon footprint, she just simply implied she didn't want to add to the landfills by replacing the mirror when she could keep it. Every little bit matters and I'm sure the environment would thank her even for that small gesture. Too bad you don't try to make this world a better place by caring about people as much as the environment! Your arrogance is as much a poison as any greenhouse gas being produced...I think your choice of name alone just killed 3 puppies. Geeze.

I live in an apartment and need to be able to change things back when we move out, do you think this could be assembled first then possibly temporarily attached to the mirror somehow? I had the basic plain mirrors! thanks!

I have done this before - here's a tip for the viewers. You CAN do this if you have the clear plastic supports already in place to support your mirror.

THE TRICK: From the backside, carefully drill into the frame/trim, making sure not to go all the way through and notch out a small area where the plastic clips will make contact with the trim. This will allow you to install a treatment like this without disturbing the mirror.

This is a great idea. We did it in our vacation home, but had a problem finding an adhesive that would work. After trying several different ones, we finally used Lok Tite super glue. Worked perfectly. Just be sure to place correctly. This adheres almost immediately.

Any idea for this problem, we have one mirror that runs along the wall, and then there is a mirror that is on the wall creating a 90 degree angle that is quite smaller... I want to do something like this but not make it seemed clutter, if that makes sense.

Please remove the picture of your pendant lamp that hangs above the large soaker tub. Or at the very least, put a disclaimer that it does not follow the National Electric Code.

If you don’t care about your own family, please think about someone following your advice on a DIY project.

When you go to your local home improvement store, you will see fixtures that are rated to be mounted above a tub or shower.

The reason for the code is that many people have died from this. You may have gotten shocked plugging in a lamp, but that is minor since the current is traveling across your finger. If you get shocked when standing in water, the current travels across your heart.

Thanks for the idea. Had to move my mirror away from the side next to the medicine cabinet. The crown molding would have kept the door from opening. It was fairly easy. Lost 6 inches from the top, so tall people have to duck to look in the mirror. We are short, so it works for us. Thanks a bunch!!!

A simple change or improvement can go a long way, like the one shown in this post. You can tell that the intricate details add beauty and appeal to the bathroom. One will surely enjoy spending time or using this area.

Ηerbal ωeight loss products. With numeгouѕ studies that strongly suggеst it's beneficial effects it only makes sense to protect immune health green coffee bean extract side effects through Green Tea supplementation. It is effective in increasing the lifespan and well-being of those who took Vita Lean lost an average of 4. There are a wide variety of Green Coffee Bean Extract Side Effects on the market. Try it in a generalized way.

The former аre obviously prescribed by the doctor. Unԁег certain condіtions, somе kinds οf these drugs cаn cause а lоt of side effects. So peoρle can try the best gгeеn сoffee beаn eхtгact fоr weight lοss work as a powerful aѕtringent for the skin.

Hello there, I discovered your blog via Google whilst looking for a similar subject, your web site got here up, it looks great.I've bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.Hi there, simply was aware of your weblog through Google, and located that it is really informative. I am gonna be careful for brussels. I'll appreciate for those who proceed this in future. Lots of other folks will probably be benefited out of your writing.

You really make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this topic to be really something that I think I would never understand.It seems too complex and extremely broad for me.I am looking forward for your next post, I will try to get the hang of it!

It transmits little electric impulses towards the muscle tissues within your mid-section top to them to contract and relax, contract and unwind, and so forth. The contracting and loosening up from the abs will result in them to firm up and tone utilizing patented and confirmed healthcare top quality technologies. Flex belt is accommodating and simple to use. It can be employed whilst carrying out indoor and outside activities.The flex belt will assist you get closer to the abs you want in a proven way.This is a great product for any individual who does not have sufficient free of charge time to get a work out in every day.

What an amazing job! Your mirror look absolutely beautiful! I have a bronze mirror at home that I got from http://www.worldtohome.com/bronze-mirrors.aspx. I really like it and so do my guests. I keep getting compliments on it every time I have a guess over.

It is perfect time to make some plans for the long run and it is time to be happy. I've read this post and if I may I want to suggest you few interesting things or suggestions. Maybe you could write next articles regarding this article. I desire to learn even more things approximately it!

I'm impressed, I have to admit. Rarely do I come across a blog that's equally educative and entertaining, and without a doubt, you've hit the nail on the head. The problem is something not enough people are speaking intelligently about. I'm very happy I found this in my search for something concerning this.

hey there and thank you for your info – I've certainly picked up anything new from right here. I did however expertise a few technical issues using this site, as I experienced to reload the website many times previous to I could get it to load properly. I had been wondering if your web host is OK? Not that I'm complaining, but slow loading instances times will often affect your placement in google and can damage your high quality score if ads and marketing with Adwords. Anyway I'm adding this RSS to my email and could look out for a lot more of your respective interesting content. Make sure you update this again soon.

May I simply say what a relief to discover a person that genuinely understands what they are talking about on the internet. You actually know how to bring a problem to light and make it important. More people have to look at this and understand this side of your story. I can't believe you are not more popular given that you most certainly have the gift.

As much as I love all of those fashion bloggers out there who wear fleshlight designer and spend three digits or more on one single clothing item, I have completely failed.The soap will damage your fleshlight sleeve. 5-inches as the older screens, the new buttons aren't quite as easy to feel out without looking for them.

Hi. I wanted to drop you a fast note to precise my thanks.Ive been following your blog for a month or so and have picked up a ton of good information and loved the method youve structured your site.I'm trying to run my very personal weblog nevertheless I believe its too general and I must concentrate on a variety of smaller topics. Being all things to all people is not all that its cracked up to be

Τhere is no gгeatеr ωay on hoω to raspbеrry ketones. It ϳust meanѕ comρrising with your mealѕ, but will strengthen yоur bοdy as ωеll and lost weіght. It's good for your heart. We've included more weight loѕs tiρѕ as you progгеss moνe uρ to full pace. You can certainly сhoose to snack on.

Smοkіng iѕ гesponsiblе for giving us the messagе tο inсгease оur enеrgy eхpеndіture ѕo that we enjoy so much, then the body produces exсesѕ amounts of cοгtіsol,ωhiсh then cοntributеs to weight gain. But when yοu exercіsе as well. Аlthough this diet was, I would have 2 shaκеs.

I seldom leave a response, but I read a bunch of comments here "How to Upgrade your Builder Grade Mirror - Frame it!".I actually do have a couple of questions for you if it's allright. Could it be just me or do some of the remarks appear as if they are written by brain dead individuals? :-P And, if you are posting on additional online sites, I would like to follow anything new you have to post. Could you post a list of the complete urls of all your social community pages like your twitter feed, Facebook page or linkedin profile?

Thanks for your marvelous posting! I truly enjoyed reading it, you're a great author.I will always bookmark your blog and will eventually come back down the road. I want to encourage you to definitely continue your great job, have a nice evening!

Hello! Quick question that's totally off topic. Do you know how to make your site mobile friendly? My web site looks weird when browsing from my apple iphone. I'm trying to find a template οr plugin that might be able to correct this problem. If you have any suggеstions,ρlease share. With thanκѕ!

Hmm it looκs liκe your blοg аte my firѕt commеnt (it was super long) so I guess І'll just sum it up what I had written and say, I'm thoroughly еnjoyіng your blog. I too am an aspiгing blog wrіtеr but I'm still new to the whole thing. Do you have any tips for inexperienced blog writers? I'ԁ definitely apρrеciаte it.

I just could not go away your web site before suggesting that I actually enjoyed the usual information a person supply to your guests? Is going to be back often in order to investigate cross-check new posts

I thіnk this іs one of the so much vital info for mе.Anԁ i аm glad reading your article. But wаnna commentaгy on few normal issues, Тhe website style is wondeгful, the articles іѕ in reаlity grеat : D.Еxcellent асtivіtу, chееrs

There are no other men vibrating toys that come close the the fleshlight.The Fleshlight was created in part, to address the dangers associated with promiscuity, the spread of STD s sexually transmitted illnesses, and unwanted pregnancy.Commonly, it has the ability to independently decide on clinical & operational issues when they move into a consolidate system of health care delivery under ACO and other forms of shared models. If it is, then there are a few tips you must do to aid in curing your sickness.

Lighting and mirrors are two things that you may want to consider splurging on for your bathroom. Less expensive bathroom decorating ideas include simply getting matching paint, shower curtain, bath mats and bath accessories.

I just like the valuable information you supply to your articles.I'll bookmark your weblog and take a look at again right here regularly. I'm reasonably sure I'll be informed many new stuff right here! Good luck for the next!

I pinned this a while ago and just got around to doing it. Looks fantastic, great instructions for a novice that likes to try their hand at new things! One word of advice that was not mentioned in your post - you did mention to paint both front and back of the trim due to the reflection, however, when I put the adhesive on the back of the first piece of trim, I wasn't considering the reflection (ok, so maybe common sense that if you can see the paint you'd also be able to see the glue, but for a novice, we need everything spelled out :0). So for those of you doing this, remember you can also see the glue in the reflection, so don't glue too close to the inside edge of your trim! I only made the mistake on the first piece, and I'm probably the only one that will ever notice it, but it's an easily avoidable problem, so thought I'd add - thanks again - love my results!!

TV window frames can also help quite a lot in which makes disguised. Wonderful manner to cover the TV. I find it irresistible! Let's hope in which I can find out more about Mirror TV ideas along with some other valuable knowledge in your soul so next weblog.

I Am Mrs lara, i live in Texas (USA). [READ MY STORY. ON HOW I GOT MY AIDS CURED]. Truthfully, i was tested HIV + positive last 3years. I keep on managing the drugs i usually purchase from the health care agency to keep me healthy and strenghtful, i tried all i can too make this disease leave me alone, but unfortunately, it keep on eating up my life, this is what i caused myself, for allowing my fiance make sex to me unsecurely without protection, although i never knew he is HIV positive. So last few 4days i came in contact with a lively article on the internet on how this Powerful Herb Healer get her well and healed. So as a patient i knew this will took my life 1 day, and i need to live with other friends and relatives too. So i copied out the Dr OKPOKO the traditional healer's email id: DR.OKPOKOSPELLHOME@GMAIL.COM and i mailed him immediately, in a little while he mail me back that i was welcome to his temple home wereby all what i seek for are granted. I was please at that time. And i continue with him, he took some few details from me and told me that he shall get back to me as soon as he is through with my work. I was very happy as heard that from him. So Yesterday, as i was just coming from my friends house, Dr OKPOKO called me to go for checkup in the hospital and see his marvelous work that it is now HIV negative, i was very glad to hear that from him, so i quickly rush down to the nearest hospital to found out, only to hear from my hospital doctor called Browning Lewis that i am now HIV NEGATIVE. I jump up at him with the test note, he ask me how does it happen and i recide to him all i went through with Dr . I am now glad, so i am a gentle type of person that need to share this testimonies to everyone who seek for healings, because once you get calm and quiet, so the disease get to finish your life off. So iwill advice you contact him today for your healing at the above details: Email ID:DR.OKPOKOSPELLHOME@GMAIL.COM

Love this and it really dresses up the bathroom. My husband & I went shopping tonight to purchase the molding and supplies. Since your mirror frame step by step directions were great, can you please post how you made the roman shade? Thank you!

Hello. I know this an extremely old post but I'm hoping you still see this comment. We're preparing to do this to our bathroom as well. Our bathroom is almost identical to yours before the redo. My question is this, did you have to get an electrician in to change the wiring for you two new lights since it was one long light before? We also have the long ugly 80's hollywood light and I'd like to switch to two fixtures. I'd love to know the answer before I start ripping stuff down. Thank you!

I found the product that there should be an award for our order the ROG K-1 kids the: approved Ana-Kit from my pumpkin color bathtub well after I cleaned it wasn't pumpkin colored anymore that happened to be white I'm amazed on baby I recommend if anyone has a problem with the bathtub this is the answerI got it on amazon under rog3. Believe it...

Each Horticultural can build your own website with SiteMentrix. In SiteMentrix you can create your own online site, without technical knowledge, your browser and the mouse, or with your finger and your iPad or tablet.http://www.sitementrix.nl

I'm pretty pleased to uncover this website. I need to to thank you for your time due to this fantastic read!! I definitely loved every little bit of it and i also have you saved as a favorite to look at new stuff in your site.

Just finished your tips of Builder Grade Mirror! I also love framing mirror to decorate my house & reading the tips how to improve my skill on it. I just have posted some best tips on How to Use Mirror , I think this will be helpful to all.

Nowadays, Home decoration And enhancements has quality to those that wants to live an rich life, ample people area unit asking but frame a bathroom Mirror? But it’s easy when you have got the right ideas.Read More : http://my-condolances.tumblr.com

I love the DIY ideas with Custom mirrors, A few days ago I completed my latest post on hanging a custom made mirrors. The Article would be helpful for DIY.Here id the Article: http://dansons.tumblr.com

Follow by Email

Grab your own Full of Great Ideas Button

About Me

I am a mom to two beautiful children and a wife to a wonderful husband. I am a full time mom and a part time project manager. I would love to say this blog is a hobby but I really believe it is my way of having something to call my own :)